“I can’t thank Kiran Bedi Madam and her Foundation enough. Your support changed me and also gave a new direction to my children’s lives. I pray to God for India Vision Foundation’s success, always.” – An Alumnus
India Vision Foundation is a 31-year-old, non-profit, non-government organization born out of the Ramon Magsaysay Award (Equivalent to Asia’s Nobel Peace Prize) conferred to Dr Kiran Bedi, the first lady IPS (Indian Police Services) of India, during her tenure as Inspector General of Tihar Prison, Asia’s largest prison.
Thus, it was thecelebrationof the tireless efforts of the Foundation over the last three decades of its Rehabilitation and Reintegration efforts, as it decided to organize the ALUMNI MEET, which is a testament to the transformative power of human connection and empowering more than a million lives with dignity and hope.
And who were The Alumni?
The Alumni Mela 2025 was a reunion of “people with an incarcerated past and with a lived experience of being behind bars” directly or indirectly, and their family members. And this human capital was the Alumni, that was supported and empowered by the Foundation inside the prison and are now leading self-reliant lives after their transformation with skills, education and livelihood options.
The Alumni Meet 2025 provided nearly 400+Alumni with a space to reunite with their friends and mentors who had supported and helped them in their journeys of struggle, triumph, and transformation. Their stories are a tribute to the unwavering dedication of the Foundation team and the resilience of the human spirit. Through our 3C approach – Corrective, Connective, and Collective under the Inside Prison Program and its 4 S Model (Shiksha, Sanskar, Skills and Swasth) of Reformation, the human potential of our beneficiaries is unlocked, and lives are rebuilt with skills, education, values and behavioural modifications, fostering the capacity to navigate challenges on release and reintegrate successfully with dignity.
This sentiment was echoed by a female beneficiary who hugged her mentor and said in a trembling voice, “I thank the Foundation for holding my hand inside the jail and for supporting me even after my release.”
For some, the event was a chance to heal and rediscover joy, when one beneficiary said,
सर, जब से पापा का इंतकाल हुआ है, पहली बार इतना मुस्कुराया हूँ। वहाँ आकर अच्छा लगा।धन्यवाद आपको और पूरी इंडिया विज़न फ़ाउंडेशन कोI
(“Sir, since my father’s death, this is the first time that I have smiled so much,”)
while another attendee expressed his joy by saying,
“It was wonderful to come to this event, as this space gave me a sense of belonging and love! Thanks a lot to India Vision Foundation for today.”
Many heartfelt emotions found their way into the expression of gratitude and underscored the impact of our work with prison inmates and their children over the last three decades. The Alumni Mela 2025 celebrated the resilience of those who’ve overcome adversity and highlighted the importance of second chances. Many of them who came to the Meet are happily rehabilitated and are now leading independent lives, self-reliant and confident, while a few others continue to navigate life’s challenges after their prison life. The Foundation continue to handhold them through diverse means like extending financial support, educational assistance, and counselling for psychosocial well-being or familial issues towards rebuilding their lives under its Rehabilitation & Reintegration Program.
“This is the best time of my life as I could meet my friends after 3 years, so it is the best feeling in my whole life.”
shared one beneficiary, resonating with the mood of the day and a relatable feeling among all the attendees.
The Alumni Mela 2025 reiterated the importance of second chances and the power of human empathy. It reminded us that with the right support, anyone can break free from the shackles of their past and forge a brighter future. These beneficiaries are our inspiration, a beacon of hope for those who are still trapped in the cycle of crime and stigma.
As we strive for inclusive societies, we are reminded of the 2030 Agenda under the Sustainable Development Goals of ‘Leaving No One Behind’, and thus, we recognise the impact of our collective efforts. The Alumni Mela 2025 was a celebration of transformation, a testament to human resilience, the ability to heal and the grit to overcome all adversities.
The Writer, Ms Renu Nag (Head Learning & Development), has been working with the India Vision Foundation for the last 20 years.
